Room 372 Handbook

Room 372’s Handbook

“Setting the Stage for Success”

I put this handbook together to answer questions you may have about our classroom. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I look forward to a great year and teaching your child!

Success in fourth grade depends a lot of us working together as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). Together we can help your child grow in many ways. I am very excited and looking forward to getting the year started!

Curriculum
Math (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Math Expressions)
Unit 1:  Solve Multiplication and division word problems
Unit 2: Quadrilaterals
Unit 3:  Place Value and multi-digit addition and subtraction
Unit 4:  Angles and Polygons
Unit 5: Multi-digit Multiplication
Unit 6:  The Metric Measurement System
Unit 7:  Multi-digit division
Unit 8:  Patterns, Functions, and Graphs
Unit 9:  Fractions
Unit 10:  Three-Dimensional Figures
Unit 11:  Decimal Numbers
Unit 12:  The U.S. Customary System

Science (Houghton Mifflin)
Engineering
Matter
Energy
Rocks
Water cycle
Human interaction with Earth Systems

Social Studies (Houghton Mifflin)
Civic Skills
Political processes
Economics
Map reading and creating
Regions of the United States
Locate US states and capitals
Human Environmental interaction
Historical changes in people & cultures

Language Arts (Harcourt)
This series uses 6 themes to combine phonics, spelling, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and writing.
Theme 1:  Facing Challenges     Theme 2:  Getting the Job Done
Theme 3:  Natural Challenges    Theme 4:  Imagination at Work
Theme 5:  A New Home        Theme 6:  Exploring our World

We will be using the Reader’s Workshop format which includes Guided Reading and centers.  Students will receive large group instruction at the beginning of each reading lesson to introduce skills.  They will then practice and put these skills to use in the centers during the remainder of the lesson, also allowing for small group instruction.  Combined with our Reader’s Workshop routine will be our Daily 3 where students will: Read to Self, Work on Writing, and Read to Someone.

Spelling is incorporated into our language arts curriculum.  At the beginning of each week, students will receive a list of spelling words.  Lists have a pattern that will be the focus of study for the week.  The final test will be on the last day of each week.   If students show understanding of the pattern at the beginning of the week, a challenge list is provided.

Writing instruction will follow a Writer’s Workshop format.  Students will receive limited large group instruction and then “play” with the craft of writing and receive support through individual or small group conferences.  

Reading Log:
In fourth grade, students are required to read a minimum of 120 minutes each week outside of school.  This requirement will be documented using a reading log which will be turned in bi-weekly.  As a way to “represent their reading,” students will complete a home monthly book project.  


General Information
Communication:
Please contact me if at any time you have a question or concerns regarding your fourth grader’s education.  The best times to reach me are from 7:45-8:15 A.M. or 3:15-3:45 P.M.  If you are unable to talk with me, please leave a voice-mail message.  I try to check my voice-mail before school, at lunch, and after school.  My preferred form of communication is e-mail, which I check regularly throughout the day.
If your child is going to have a different after school pick-up ritual (change of bus, pick up, etc.), please send a note the day of the change.  By sending the note in the morning, I can notify the office and remind your child of the change.  This prior arrangement also alleviates the stress and confusion to the child.  If I don’t receive parent communication about a change in the after school routine, I am REQUIRED to follow the normal after school procedure.  
Class website:
I have a webpage that you may access through the district website at:  www.esko.k12.mn.us
This website has general information about the classroom. We will be using our learning management system, Canvas, as a technology tool for students and families. Look for more information about Canvas to come home the first few weeks of school.
Class newsletter:
Periodically, I will send home a newsletter with important information.  However, as 4th graders, your child is going to be responsible for communicating about assignments, upcoming events or school needs. We will be using planning programs on our iPads to keep track of these assignments, events, or needs.
Homework:
Students will be given work time in school to complete assignments.  Any remaining work will be considered homework. With our math curriculum, students will receive a homework assignment at the end of each lesson.  This is designed to help transfer knowledge to a new setting (home) and time.   I believe at this age, students still need to have play and rest.  I also value family time during the evenings. Homework should take no more than 40 minutes at this age. Homework will usually consist of the required 120 minutes of reading each week, studying for weekly spelling tests, other subject area tests, and other uncompleted assignments. During the first week of school I will be sending home a homework policy for families to review.
Late Work Policy:
Philosophy: Because I see homework as an important part of a student’s education, I will expect all work in on time.  If you feel there is a legitimate reason why a student is not able to complete homework, please call me prior to the due date of the assignment.
Late Work Consequences:
All work is to be completed prior to the subject areas due date.  If it is not, students will log the name of assignment and reason it is late.   Each time your fourth grader has late work, they will complete a late slip.  The completed assignment and the late slip with a parent signature are due the next school day.  If not, it will be considered as an additional late assignment.

Every student will be allowed three late assignments each quarter before an additional consequence will result.

On the fourth and future late assignments, the student will be required to miss the next recess period. This will occur whether the work is completed or not by the time the next recess occurs.  (For example, an incomplete assignment  for a Monday afternoon subject would result in missing Tuesday’s recess)   The recess time would be used to complete late assignments and ensure completion of current assignments.

Planned trips:
Planned trips away from school are not recommended as most of what we do in our classroom cannot be made-up outside of school.  If you know you are going to be gone, you may ask for homework, but it is usually not be possible to give it due to class learning activities and changing plans.  Missed learning will need to be done when you return.
Take home folder/Planner:
Each student will have a designated homework folder that will travel to and from school each day.  Please check it each night and return it with your child each morning.  Students will be given time to work on assignments during class.  If they do not finish during this time, they must bring it home, finish it, and return it on its due date.  This folder will also transport completed work, spelling lists, study guides for upcoming tests, and notes from school.  
Classroom constitution:
I think one of the best ways to establish a positive environment is to have students be part of deciding the rules.  During our first week of school we will work together to develop our hopes and dreams for the school year and establish some general rules for our room.  These rules will be created as a classroom constitution and all members of the classroom will sign the constitution, agreeing to follow these rules throughout the year.
Behavior:
Our classroom will be following the Responsive Classroom model of C.A.R.E.S (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, Self-Control).  If a child is not following the constitution he/she will be asked to “Take a Break.”  This means the child will go to an assigned chair and return when he/she feels ready to rejoin the class.  This is a warning to the child that the behavior needs to change.  If the child continues to break the constitution, the child will be asked to “Take a Break” again.  At that time, the child will go to an assigned chair and will only be able to return to his/her desk after a conversation with Mrs. Foxx and the child has agreed to follow through with their plan to change their behavior.  If a child receives a third “Take a Break,” he/she will be given a “CUT” form and be assigned to another classroom until the sheet is filled out.   When the form is completed by the child, Mrs. Foxx will meet with the child to see what the plan is to have a successful rest of the day.  This form will go home for the parent to sign.  If a child would receive a fourth “Take a Break” in one day, the child would be sent to Mr. Harker’s office.  In severe cases, a child will immediately be sent to Mr. Harker.
Snack:
In my class we will be having a healthy snack each day.  My healthy snack policy will stress healthy eating and brain friendly snacks.  To reinforce the concept of healthy eating I have some guidelines for the healthy snack.

Rules:
All fresh fruits and vegetables are allowed and encouraged.
Students may bring fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, yogurt or a granola bar.
My rule of thumb is it should be something low in sugar and fat.
Please avoid popcorn, chips, cookies, Twinkies, candy and any type of “junk food."  
This is a snack and not a meal.  One snack is plenty.
Snacks cannot be shared.  

Also, I encourage children to bring a water bottle to class. It can get very hot in here and it is good to hydrate. Please limit this to just plain water.
Birthdays:
I want each child to feel special on his/her birthday.  I try to coincide a child’s birthday with their week of being the “Spotlight” of the Week.  Throughout the week, each day is designated with a special activity to honor your child.  If your child’s birthday is during the summer, they will still have an assigned week to have the spotlight.  Treats are optional and must be store purchased.  You are responsible for sending all needed products—napkins, cups, plates, etc. Some families in the past have bought a book for the classroom in place of buying treats for the class.
Also, please do not distribute invitations at school (playground INCLUDED!) unless the whole class is invited (or either all the boys or all the girls are invited) as those who are not invited become hurt.  Thank you for this consideration.   Included in your back to school folder is an opportunity for you to share your contact information with the classmates of Room 372.   By providing your home’s address and phone number, not only are you able to send birthday correspondence via the post office, but the contact information can be used throughout the year for play dates and homework help!
Pet Policy:
Pets are very special to families. Unfortunately, due to allergies and possible dangers, we have a no pet’s policy in our classroom. If you child would like to share their pet with the class, they are welcome to bring a picture or tell us about them.
Other:
We live in Minnesota and the weather can be very different from day to day, hour to hour. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather that day. This includes snow gear during the winter months and rain gear if it is raining.
I hope that each family will become a part of our classroom. You can do this by keeping open communication about your ideas, concerns, and any information about our child you feel I need to know. Also, I hope that some of you have time to volunteer in our classroom. I encourage you to contact me at school (879-3361 ext.372) or through email ([email protected]).

Thank you for taking time to review our classroom handbook. Please sign, detach and return the form below to school.
I have read and understand the classroom handbook.
Student Signature:_____________________________    Date:___________
Parent/Guardian Signature:_______________________    Date:___________